Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-04

important properties, was wholly gone. We
had to use artificial means, pressure on the
chest, to expel the air and cause respirations
We had to keep this up for 10 or Is minutes
before any change was noted,
These changes were remarkable to witness.
First we noticed that the blood which came
away at the wound changed to more arte-
rial character, becoming more scarlet. The
face began to change 10 color, becoming more
natural. DIR. Campbell was the first TO notice
returning sensibility, as was occupied with
the respiratory work This was indicated by
a slight twitching of the muscles of the eye
when pressed with the finger. The next
noticeable feature was the movement of the
| legs and arm. and all at once the eyes opened,
staring wildly, but giving evidence that the
patient recognized various objects. Water
was placed to his lips and he drank greedily.
He could hear, and now came a time of
trouble for the surgeons. The apparatus was
cumbersome and ILL adapted to the purpose
| for which it was used. The valve attached
to the tube which entered the neck
was large and heavy, and the movements Of
the patient came near pulling it out. The
wound began to bleed afresh; but help was at
hand in the persons of three men who be-
longed to the United Stares recruiting Office,
and who were boarders in the house. After
the circulation was fairly established the
patient became easier. He was allowed to
drink plenty of water. Finally he could an
swer questions by inclinations of his head.
One curious and extremely interesting fact
which occurred was return to natural respira-
ton. There would be two or three short
respir atory efforts of the lungs, then the
patient would give evidence of asphyxis, toss
ing about and trying to breathe. The lungs
would not respond to the natural desire, and
we had to resort again and again to artificial
respiration, with the result of always quietpg
and relieving him. As the work went on the
natural efforts at respiration increased and
at noon tracheotomy tube was placed in the
trachea. We were breathing for this man
for % hours before he WAS able to breathe for
himself. 10 a remarkably short time the skin
came into active play and the kidneys and
bowels performed their functions. tending TO
eliminate the poison from the system. AT 8
P. M DIR. Campbell suggested that the tube
be removed, for the patient appeared to be
breathing comfortably. The wound was
closed with autiseptic dressings and bandaged.
A quantity of blood passed into the lungs
during the operation and there were frequent
coughing efforts, bloody froth being thrown
out at the valve of the apparatus.
"The patient became delirious toward
rible attack of delirium tremens, the result
of a weeks excessive drinking, and at times
four or five men were required to hold him
In the delirium there was high fever and
rapid pulse. His struggling caused the
wound to bleed profusely. and it was some
time before he became quiet. The third day
the effects of the morphia had not passed off,
and sufficient was left in the blood to affect
the respiratory centers, as was shown by
decrease of from Is and 20 to respirations
minute. As quantities of poison were
eliminated the respiration gradually in
creased and it became evident that Burns
would recover"
DR.. Fell used in this operation a crude ap-
paratus with which he has practiced vivi-
section at Niagara University, but he is per-
fectng an instrument which will give the
operator control of the respiration irrespec-
tive of the character of the air supply
Herald